Could you be a winner?

Nominations are now open for the UK Men’s Sheds Awards 2025, previously known as the Shed of the Year Awards. The awards recognise the outstanding contributions of Men’s Sheds and Shedders who are making a significant impact in their communities across the UK.

The seven Award categories celebrate the incredible work done by Sheds that go above and beyond supporting local communities, improving the lives of individuals, and exemplifying the values of the Men’s Sheds movement.

Award Categories for 2025

• Community Project Award | Celebrating impactful one-off projects that have made a real difference in the wider community.
• Shedder of the Year | Honouring an individual whose personal journey and contribution embody the spirit of the Men’s Sheds movement.
• Health and Wellbeing Award | Recognising Sheds that are actively improving physical and mental wellbeing among their members or community.
• Partnership Award | Celebrating collaboration between Sheds and local authorities, charities, schools, and other partners to deliver lasting impact.
• Armed Forces Award | Highlighting Sheds that support, include, or collaborate with veterans and the wider armed forces community.
• Heritage & Habitat Award | Rewarding Sheds that champion sustainability, conservation, and environmental responsibility.
• Shed of the Year | All entries will be automatically considered for the overall UK Men’s Shed of the Year 2025 Award, with no separate nomination required.

“The UK Men’s Sheds Awards are about championing the extraordinary stories of ordinary people – the volunteers, the friendships, and the projects that are changing lives and building better communities,” said Caroline Ellis, CEO, UKMSA.

“The new name and award categories reflect the scale of the Men’s Sheds movement and the broader impact Sheds have, not only in their own communities but across the UK. We’re also recognising key issues tackled everyday by Sheds such as health, wellbeing, sustainability, and veterans’ support.”

Nominations are open to all UKMSA member Sheds.

If you’re not a member already, you can join below – it’s free to join for the first year and just £30pa thereafter).

Nominations close at midnight on 10th October 2025

Why Enter?

It’s not just about winning a trophy… finalists can gain wider exposure that can help with local engagement.

Gain Recognition

• Public Acknowledgement: Winning or being shortlisted for a UK Men’s Shed Award provides recognition from your peers for your hard work and achievements. It can increase your profile and highlight your contributions to your local area.
• Boost Credibility: Awards can establish credibility within your community. Being recognised by UKMSA can improve your reputation and in turn attract new members, funding and supporters.

Increase Visibility

• Media Exposure: UK Men’s Sheds Awards often generates news coverage. This exposure can help you attract attention from local/national media and local MPs.
• Networking Opportunities: Being part of the awards ceremony connects you with like-minded individuals, MPS and organisations. It offers the chance to expand your network and collaborate with other Sheds.

Boost Morale and Motivation

• Team Motivation: For Sheds and volunteers, receiving recognition through an award can boost morale. It acknowledges their hard work and dedication, which can inspire them to continue their efforts with renewed passion and demonstrates the value their contribution and commitment makes.

Benchmark Against Peers

• Objective Evaluation: The judging process evaluates entries against specific criteria. This provides a valuable opportunity to assess where you stand relative to other Sheds; identify areas for improvement and give you ideas for new projects.
• Improve Your Practices: The process of preparing for an award entry encourages you to reflect on your practices, goals, and outcomes, offering insights into how you can refine your operations or strategies.

Increase Opportunities for Growth

• Attract Funding and Investment: Being shortlisted can help with wider publicity ad awareness for funding future projects or initiatives.
• Access to New Partnerships: The UK Men’s Sheds Award Ceremony is often attended by key influencers and partners who may be looking for new opportunities to collaborate or support initiatives.

Create a Legacy

• Build Long-Term Recognition: Winning awards can contribute to creating a long-lasting legacy. Over time, being known as an award-winning Shed, project, or initiative can help sustain your influence in the community or industry.
• Inspire Future Generations: Winning awards can serve as a source of inspiration for others. It demonstrates what is possible and sets a precedent for the next generation of leaders and innovators in your field.

Increase Your Impact

• Drive Change: Awards that focus on community impact or social good can amplify the importance of the work you’re doing. It can encourage more people to join or support your cause, increasing your ability to make a positive difference.
• Recognition Leads to Influence: Being recognised at the UK Men’s Sheds Award can give you a platform to influence others, advocate for change, or share your expertise.

Celebrate Your Achievements

• Mark Milestones: Entering the UK Men’s Sheds Awards is an opportunity to look back at the progress you’ve made. It’s a great way to celebrate your achievements, no matter the outcome, and to share the joy of your success with others.
• Reflect on Success: The award application process allows you to reflect on what you’ve achieved and why it matters. It’s an opportunity to take pride in the work you’ve done, whether you win or not.

Attract New Members

• Inspire Volunteers or Community Engagement: For community-driven projects, winning or entering an award can encourage new volunteers to join your mission and become part of something impactful.

Earn Financial Rewards

• Access to Sponsorships: Awards can open doors to sponsorships or partnerships, providing extra resources for your ongoing work.

Judging

Also new for 2025 is a wider judging panel including subject experts, the UKMSA team and previous winners. Look out for news about the judges coming soon.

The Awards Ceremony

The Awards will be presented on Thursday 27th November 2025 at The Terrace Pavilion, House of Commons, Westminster, London.

Shortlisted Sheds will receive two free tickets to the awards event.

Awards sponsors to be announced soon.

See the fun and winners from the 2024 awards, in the following video montage: